Senior Data Scientist (Generative AI Focus)

WE HAVE CREATED A WORLD WHERE ART AND SCIENCE ARE BEST FRIENDS

Known is a modern marketing company engineered for the unprecedented opportunities and challenges facing marketers today. We are about 250+ people strong, pairing PhD data scientists with award-winning creatives, strategists, engineers and expert research teams to produce some of the most innovative and cutting-edge creative work in culture. We believe that when creative truly collaborates with science, strategy, and technology, amazing things can happen. 

Ad Age touted that “Known may be the ultimate example of a full-service agency,” and honored us with top ten status on The Agency A-List for 2024 & 2025, and as Ad Age’s Data & Insights Agency of the year for a record third year in a row. Without our incredible partnerships with our clients, spanning across the leading brands in finance, technology, entertainment, media, CPG, real estate, and many other categories, honors like this could not be possible, and also have helped us earn additional awards and recognitions over the years like: Emmys, Clios, Effies, Cannes Lions Awards, ProMax Agency of the Year, Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas, Digiday’s 2025 Best AI Platform and Digiday’s Most Innovative Media Agency, to name a few.

We couldn’t create this award-winning work without seeking out and hiring the best talent. What does it mean to be a Knowner? We are curious innovators, knowledge-hunters who are constantly challenging ourselves to do better and be better for our clients, for our team and for our world at large. Our offices around the U.S. are open and while most of our people work in a hybrid setting, we are a distributed workforce with a number of Knowners working remotely.

BUT ENOUGH ABOUT US, LET'S TALK ABOUT YOU

About the role:

Known’s Channel Data Science team is a group of data scientists embedded in our media buying practice to translate the domain knowledge we gain from running media for our clients to smart tools that push the limits of advanced advertising. Our work includes predictive modeling/optimization, building workflow automation apps, and the pioneering application of Generative AI for novel marketing solutions – all in the service of making our work less repetitive and manual, more optimized, and seeking better outcomes for our media activation and media consulting clients. 

We are seeking Data Scientists and Senior Data Scientists who can understand the core business objectives of our internal teams and our clients, and ideate, design, and develop innovative tools leveraging text-based Large Language Models (LLMs) and other Generative AI techniques. While experience in media is a plus, a passion for applying cutting-edge AI to marketing challenges is crucial.

A significant focus of this role will be to champion and implement Generative AI initiatives. In this role more generally, you will work with, and guide (for senior levels), other data scientists on a variety of projects, interface with our other teams at Known, and drive forward some of our most difficult and innovative data science projects, particularly those harnessing the power of LLMs.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

All Levels:

• Explore, develop, and deploy Generative AI (specifically LLM-based) tools for marketing applications, such as content ideation/generation, audience persona creation, automated reporting with natural language summaries, campaign strategy assistance, and enhanced customer insights
• Develop new techniques (e.g., traditional ML models, optimization algorithms, LLM fine-tuning, prompt engineering strategies, and automation) to improve Known IP and create tools for Known's clients
• Work with other data scientists and engineers to productionalize new tools, including GenAI-powered applications
• Stay current with advancements in Data Science and AI and identify opportunities for their application in the marketing domain

• Lead the exploration, development, and deployment of complex Generative AI initiatives
• Mentor other data scientists on the team, including upskilling them in Generative AI concepts and techniques
• Drive innovation by staying at the forefront of AI advancements and identifying strategic applications
• Manage multiple concurrent projects and serve as a technical leader on complex AI initiatives

WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU HAVE

• A Bachelors, Masters or PhD from a well-regarded college or university. STEM degrees (e.g., Statistics, Economics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science) are preferred
• Hands-on experience doing quantitative analysis, statistical modeling, optimization and/or machine learning
• Proven experience in developing and deploying solutions using Generative AI, particularly text-based Large Language Models (e.g., experience with APIs like OpenAI's, or open-source models).
• Experience utilizing Python and SQL
• Experience building data science software or analytical workflows
• Experience in advertising or advertising technology is a strong plus, especially if combined with GenAI application in this domain.

Data Scientist:

• 2+ years (with Masters/PhD) or 3+ years (with Bachelors) of relevant experience
• 1+ years of experience building data science software, ideally including applications leveraging AI/ML models.
• Academic projects, internships, or personal projects demonstrating application of modeling techniques preferred

Senior Data Scientist:

• 4+ years (with Masters) or 2+ years (with PhD) of hands-on experience. Candidates with a Bachelors degree and 5+ years of highly relevant experience may also be considered
• 3+ years building data science software or robust analytical workflows
• Leadership experience managing or mentoring junior data scientists
• (Optional but recommended): Portfolio of projects or case studies demonstrating successful application of advanced modeling techniques to solve complex marketing problems (preferred)

Skills, abilities, and knowledge

• Superb communication and presentation skills
• An ability to translate business challenges into quantitative problems, and solve them by whatever means necessary, which may not always be strict machine learning
• Strong understanding of LLM capabilities, limitations, ethical considerations, and the evolving landscape of Generative AI technologies.
• Proven ownership of projects taken to completion
• A commitment to managing the quality & accuracy of analytics, ensuring high standards with your and others’ work
• Experience working on a tech team, with experience in cloud technologies, version control, etc.
• Experience in advertising or advertising technology is a plus

Competencies

• Ability to prioritize time, work and effort while multitasking on multiple projects
• Desire to mentor and teach others
• Collaborative attitude
• Self motivated and exhibits initiative
• Willing & able to learn quickly
• Abundant intellectual curiosity and integrity

SOME OF OUR PERKS

• Unlimited paid time off
• 401k with company matching and no vesting period
• Annual bonuses
• Generous medical plan
• Paid parental leave

ONE LAST THING TO ASK YOURSELF

All this might sound great, but you’re probably still wondering, “Would I be a good fit for Known?” or “Would Known be a good fit for me?” Our culture is propped up by four values that we aspire to every day: We are one team. We see the good. We never stop learning. There’s always a better way. At Known we are setting out to build something more than just a company. We are building a legacy filled with exceptionally talented people with a kaleidoscope of backgrounds, experiences, and origin stories who feel encouraged and empowered to bring their whole selves to work, and to partner with us in molding and shaping our culture through our values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or qualified job applicants on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or locally protected class.

The base salary for this position is:

Data Scientist: $110K - $130K 

Senior Data Scientist: $130K - $150K

This range is posted in compliance with state and municipal Pay Transparency laws. In addition to base compensation, this role is eligible to receive additional Known benefits.

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